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KETB to open Killarney campus

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By Sean Moriart

Kerry Education and Training Board (KETB) is to set up a campus in Killarney and have been invited to look at the former Pretty Polly site as a suitable location.

 

It is hoped the new Further Education and Training college will be operational by this September and that it will offer several courses including those aligned to the hospitality industry.

Killarney Municipal District officials and senior ETB managers are due to examine the former factory today (Friday) to assess its suitability as a campus.

When the Pretty Polly factory closed in 2009 it was handed over to Kerry County Council to be used to create new job opportunities in the town.

The local authority did receive a number of expressions of interest in the site but, so far, nothing has progressed.

There are no guarantees that the ETB will find the premises suitable for their plans but this is the most significant move to date to secure a tenant for the former factory.

Today’s meeting was made possible by Cllr Marie Moloney who is also a Kerry ETB board member. Cllrs Niall 'Botty' O'Callahghan and Maura Healy-Rae also played a role in securing today's visit.

“It is fantastic news for the town, they have already told me they hope to run hospitality courses in Killarney,” Cllr Moloney told the Killarney Advertiser. “I advised them to show an interest in the Pretty Polly site but we have to wait and see what they say after the visit.”

Kerry ETB is looking at a number of sites in the town. The Killarney Advertiser understands that it's under time pressure as it wants to be able to deliver courses in time for the new academic year which begins on September 1.

“We are fully committed to opening a Kerry College campus in the Killarney area, featuring a range of education and training options. We are currently exploring a number of possible locations,” an ETB spokesperson told the Killarney Advertiser.

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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